Abstract: An agricultural combine having a supporting structure that is driven by ground engaging wheels at a harvesting speed by a propulsion assembly. The combine is also provided with a threshing assembly that is supplied harvested crop material by a feederhouse. The feederhouse is provided with a moisture sensor for sensing the moisture of harvested crop material as it passes through the feederhouse. The moisture sensor produces a moisture signal that is directed to an electronic combine controller. The electronic combine controller regulates the harvesting speed of the combine in response to the moisture signal.

Abstract: A resin nozzle positioner for a rock bolter, having a frame supporting feed tracks traversed by a drill and a bolt driver, has a resin nozzle that guides a resin sausage into a hole drilled along a work axis. A positioner base is fixed to the frame and two arms are pivotably connected to the positioner base and to a nozzle block, to which the resin nozzle is mounted. The arms remain parallel and move such that the resin nozzle remains parallel to the work axis while moving along an arc between a retracted position, where the resin nozzle is spaced apart from the work axis, and an extended position, where the resin nozzle is aligned with the work axis. An actuator operably connected to two elements selected from the arms, the positioner base, and the nozzle block serves to move the resin nozzle.

Abstract: An athletic track having a post-tensioned concrete slab supporting a resilient surface. The athletic track has opposed, parallel rectangular side areas and opposed semi-circular end areas connecting the side areas. The concrete slab is cast in place without requiring expansion joints between segments. Cables are cast into the slab for providing a tension load in the concrete slab. A first set of cables is tilted away from the perpendicular in a first direction while a second set of cables is parallel to the edges of the rectangular areas such that members of the second set of cables cross members of the first set of cables. A third set of circumferential cables is provided in the semi-circular end areas. A fourth set of cables intersecting the circumferential cables is non-radially disposed. The slab has a relatively flat lower surface. Pour strips situated along a line of symmetry are provided between adjacent quadrants of the end areas.

Abstract: A system for displacing an elongate member relative to the ground. The system includes a drive rack, a support assembly, a vibratory assembly, and a drive assembly. The vibratory assembly comprises a vibratory housing defining a vibratory chamber and a vibratory axis and a vibratory system mounted within the vibratory chamber to generate a vibratory force along the vibratory axis. The drive assembly comprises a drive housing comprising a main portion defining a drive chamber and, in certain configurations, a sleeve portion defining a sleeve chamber, where a drive axis extends through the drive chamber and the sleeve chamber and a drive system mounted within the drive chamber and comprising a drive gear that rotates to generate a drive force along the drive axis. The vibratory housing is mounted onto the support assembly to reduce the transmission of vibratory forces from the vibratory housing to the support assembly.

Abstract: In order to design an infrastructure of an elevated bridge, first a target ductility factor &mgr;d and target natural period Td for the infrastructure are set in connection with an assumed earthquake motion. Subsequently, a yield seismic coefficient for the target ductility factor &mgr;d and target natural period Td is obtained from a yield seismic coefficient spectrum for the assumed earthquake motion as a design seismic coefficient Kh. On the other hand, a target yield rigidity Kd corresponding to the target natural period Td is obtained. Subsequently, the design seismic coefficient Kh is used to obtain a design horizontal load bearing capacity Hd and a displacement corresponding to the design horizontal load bearing capacity Hd is obtained as a design yield displacement &dgr;d from the target yield rigidity Kd. Subsequently, the design horizontal load bearing capacity Hd is distributed into a horizontal force Hf to be borne by the RC rigid frame and a horizontal force Hb to be borne by the damper-brace.

Abstract: A mixture of hydrocarbons with particulate rock and/or soil that is incapable of sustaining growth of erosion retarding plants can be converted to soil that is capable of sustaining such plant growth by blending the mixture with particulate biomass, and/or with particulate carbonates, hydroxides, and/or oxides of calcium and/or magnesium to produce a compostable aggregate and then exposing suitable piles of the compostable aggregate to the natural atmosphere for a sufficient time to cause the conversion of the aggregate to fertile soil.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a traffic directional mat 10 which is expected to be made of black, rubber-like material. The mat 10 is a relatively thin, generally rectangular body which is designed to be placed on a roadway in a pre-selected pattern or line in order to indicate the direction of travel for the traffic. The mat has an indented 20 arrow 18, which arrow may be painted in reflective paint 32 so as to be clearly visible to the driver 34 of a vehicle 24. The mats 10 are expected to be about 4′×5′ being about ⅝ inch thick having a 3′×4′ arrow with about a ¼ inch indention. The mat is stored in the trunk of a police vehicle and placed on a roadway to re-direct traffic.

Abstract: A raking device for breaking up a surface has a plurality of rakes mounted on a rake frame and arranged to produce an upwardly directed result in force in response to a horizontally directed force arising from encountering an obstruction in a path of travel of the raking device. A rake frame support mounts the rack frame to a rake frame carrier structure and allows controlled movement of the rakes in a vertical direction. A force applicator acting between the rake from carrier and the rake frame support is provided to apply at least a downward force to the rake. The force applicator is responsive to an increase in the upwardly directed result in force above a preset amount to allow the rakes to move upwardly in response to the increase in force.

Abstract: A metal modular end assembly for a safety road barrier gradually absorbing the impact energy of a motor vehicle comprises longitudinally corrugated metal slotted panels coupled by sliders to supporting piers which are anchored to the ground, thereby an impact of a vehicle will force the sliders to friction engage and deform the panel slots to dissipate the impact kinetic energy of the impacting vehicle.

Abstract: A process is provided for reducing a greenhouse gas emission component of a combustion gas from a thermal power generation plant. The thermal power generation plant is located in a coastal region adjacent the ocean. The plant is located beneath a seawater reservoir and a discharge line via a cooling water loop provides cooling water to the power station. The discharge line in turn feeds a modified hydroelectric plant and an intake pipe is located with its outlet beneath the ocean surface. A bypass line is connected to the discharge line 14 and extends to deep ocean sinks. In operation, seawater is pumped from the ocean to the elevated reservoir via the intake pipe and discharge line and thereafter combustion gas from the flue stack or emission system of the power station is injected into the discharge line. Electricity is generated by the power station during peak demand periods.

Abstract: A method of applying a chemical anchoring adhesive to the interior of a borehole includes the steps of providing a highly viscous, self-contained slug of chemical anchoring adhesive, inserting the slug into the borehole, providing an anchor pin, and driving the anchor pin into the borehole using a driving tool that imparts rotary motion to the anchor pin. The adhesive slug includes a first part having a first color and including a resin, and a second part having a second color different from the first and including a curing agent. The rotary motion of the anchor pin mixes the first and second parts together to form a substantially homogeneous composition having a third color different from the first and second colors. The visual indication provided by the third color notifies the worker when the mixing is complete, saving time and money at the construction site while minimizing the occurrence of defective or insufficient mixing.

Abstract: A road-cutting apparatus for creating grooves or impressions in a road surface. The apparatus comprises a tool carrier with a rotatable cutter positioned adjacent thereto. A positioning control arm is hydraulically actuated to place the cutter in an operating position just above the road surface, and an operating control arm is hydraulically actuated to move the cutter into and out of cutting engagement with the road surface. The cutting is automatically carried out in response to a signal generated as a result of the distance traveled along the road surface by the apparatus. The road-cutting apparatus also comprises a transport wheel which can be placed into engagement with the road surface such that the cutter is spaced therefrom for transport of the apparatus to a desired location for cutting the grooves or impressions and raised above the road surface for the cutting operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a pile or load-bearing element into soft ground, wherein a non-percussive force, rather than a percussive force such as that applied by a hammer or a jack, is applied to the top of a hole-forming tool or pile (1) so as to push the hole-forming tool or pile (1) in a substantially continuous motion to a first depth into the ground, and wherein the hole-forming tool or pile (1) is then pushed in a non-percussive manner to a second depth while being simultaneously rotated. A cast-in-situ pile is formed in soft ground by pushing a hole-forming tool (1) provided with fins (3) at its base into the ground. Once the required level has been reached, the hole-forming tool (1) is rotated and concrete or grout is pumped through the body of the hole-forming tool so as concomitantly to help displace and replace the soil swept away by the fins (3).

Abstract: A discontinuance device for a central reserve is fitted with a permanent separator for a communication zone between carriageways, provides a closing position to ensure continuity of the separation of the carriageways and opening positions, for traffic emergency and diversion opening positions where the carriageways are connected. The device is made of fabricated metal modules comprising supports driven into the ground. The device includes at least one arm having at least one arm module. The module has two lateral walls. The arm is mobile in rotation around a vertical axle forming a joint at one end thereof. The arm includes at least one pivoting retractable foot containing castors to lift and bring the arm into rotation, and to ensure an easy opening for traffic diversion. A transitionally mobile locking module on the arm provides an emergency opening.

Abstract: For deploying a pipe string, a traveling table is movably mounted to a mast and clamps an upper region of a pipe section. For weld alignment, at least two centralizer units are mounted to the mast between the traveling table and an upper end of the pipe string. One centralizer unit translates a lower region of the pipe section radially for alignment of the lower end of the pipe section with the upper end of the pipe string. Another centralizer unit at a middle region of the pipe section translates the middle region of the pipe section radially for correcting angular mismatch of the lower end of the pipe section with the upper end of the pipe string. Each centralizer, for example, includes four hydraulic cylinders, each operative for driving a respective pinned cam having a face carrying a roller for contacting the pipe section.

Abstract: A paving system having a strike-off assembly and method of manufacture is provided that distributes paving material onto a road surface. The strike-off assembly comprises a screed assembly comprised in a guide frame. The screed assembly comprises a flexible screed having a first and second surface secured in a screed track. The screed assembly may be disposed behind a mobile paving system to regulate the amount of paving material distributed onto the road surface and to ensure a generally even distribution of paving material across the road surface. After the surface of the flexible screed has become worn or damaged from use, the screed assembly may be removed and reversed such that the second surface is employed to regulate and distribute paving material onto the road surface.

Abstract: A combine having a variable speed drive that rotates at least one of a plurality of thrashing cylinders that thrash crops. Three of the thrashing cylinders have a gradually increasing number of flexible fingers that thrash the crops. The combine also includes a drum separator located downstream of the thrashing cylinders with respect to the direction of crop flow in the combine. The drum separator separates desirable portions of the crops and is part of a tailings return system. The combine also includes disk separators that are configured to minimize damage to desirable portions of the crops.

Abstract: A staggered tine rake construction (10) including an elongated handle member (20) having a lower end (22) operatively connected to both a front (12) and rear (13) rake unit wherein both rake units (12) and (13) include rake members (30) (30′) having mounting sockets (31) (31′) which captively engage the upper ends of a plurality of rake tines (32) (32′) whose intermediate portions are connected to spacer bars (33) (33′) which are spaced from one another by a spacer collar (42); wherein, the first plurality of tines (32) and the second plurality of tines (32′) are both laterally and horizontally offset relative to one another to produce a staggered tine array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a relatively shallow drainage ditch diagonally across crop rows, the apparatus, drawn or fitted to a tractor, incorporates a rotating cutting disk set semi-vertical and at obtuse angles to the direction of travel. The disk is adjustable in two planes and is driven either by direct drive from the tractor's PTO or by hydraulic motor. The replaceable disk is fitted with slinger plates to insure proper removal of the excavated earth. An adjustable cutting tooth is provided in front of the disk for breaking the soil prior to being cut by the rotating disk. A trailing wheel or foot skid, in conjunction with a flexible upper connection of the three point hitch, is provided to control the cutting depth of the tooth and cutting disk, thereby allowing the tooth and cutting disk to follow the contour of the earth. The apparatus is also mountable to the front of a tractor, if desired, when the disk is driven hydraulically.

Abstract: A mud separator monitoring system utilizing electronic transducers positioned in various locations in the mud separator and the lines leading from the mud separator to the mud return pit and gas discharge flare for obtaining data during drilling operations to calculate the volume of gas retained in the drilling fluid, the hydrostatic head of the drilling fluid and gas pressure in the separator on a continuing basis and informing field personnel of conditions in the mud separator indicating potential hazard. The system further monitors continuously the volume of injected gases and hydrocarbon gases circulated during drilling operations for making adjustments to the volume of injected gases required to sustain the drilling operations.